Dr. John Serrão is a board certified gynecologist who specializes in cosmetic gynecology and cosmetic surgery of the female body, including perineoplasty. If you are curious about perineoplasty and seeking more information, Serrão Rejuvenation Center is here to help. We serve patients in Orlando, Winter Park and the surrounding Florida communities.
Q: What is perineoplasty?
Perineoplasty, also known as perineal body reconstruction, is a surgery designed to repair a loose or aging perineum. This area of the body, located between the rectum and the floor of the vagina, is often torn during natural childbirth or episiotomies. Poor healing after such an injury can result in a perineum that is gaping or scarred.
Q: What are typical symptoms of women who choose perineoplasty?
Women who choose perineoplasty often feel as though their vagina is wider than it was before. The gaping feeling can lead to decreased sexual satisfaction for the woman and her partner. Women with rigid muscles in the perineum may also choose this surgery to alleviate the feeling of tightness.
Q: How long does perineoplasty take?
Although the surgery will vary based on the individual, in most cases, you can expect the procedure to take anywhere from one to two hours. The entire operation is performed in our state-of-the-art, AAAHC accredited surgical center, where you will be taken care of from start to finish.
Q: Where is the surgery performed?
Our surgeries are performed in our state-of-the-art, AAAHC accredited surgical center. We prioritize the safety and comfort of each patient, holding ourselves to the highest standards of care. In order to better serve you, we perform only one surgery every day. This allows our team to be fully committed to your needs. One of the benefits of our surgical suite is that it allows us to provide the most appropriate anesthesia, ultimately leading to the best results. Additionally, this setting reduces the risks associated with germ cross-contamination often found in hospitals or larger surgery centers.
Q: How much does perineoplasty cost?
The fee for perineoplasty will vary, depending on the individual. However, as a general rule, costs range from $6,000 to $9,000. This includes fees for the doctor, anesthesia, facility, all pre and post-operative appointments, post-operative care kit, and necessary blood work. A more specific cost will be provided at the end of your initial consultation. This quote is determined after a careful review of you medical history, physical exam, desired requests and goals.
Q: Is financing available?
We understand that cosmetic surgery is a substantial financial investment. That is why we gladly offer several financing options to our patients, so that your dream body can become a reality. Due to the highly personal nature of financing plans, our financial coordinator will be able to assist you more specifically at the time of your initial consultation.
Q: How much does the initial consultation cost?
The fee for your initial consultation is $100. However, when you decide to schedule your perineoplasty, this amount will be applied to the total cost of your surgical procedure. Each consultation at Serrão Rejuvenation Center is with Dr. Serrão himself. This will give you the opportunity to create a plan that is tailored to your goals and your body’s unique needs. During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of your perineoplasty, review before and after photos from previous patients, and grasp the post-surgery protocols. Dr. Serrão may take photographs during your surgical planning, to better help explain the expected outcome of your procedure. The consultation also includes a tour of the facility, and the ability to meet our caring and experienced surgical team.
Q: Is perinoeplasty covered by insurance?
Although many surgeries are considered medically necessary and therefore covered by insurance, perineoplasty is not. This surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure done at the request of the patient.
Q: What kind of doctor should perform my perineoplasty?
When seeking a qualified doctor to perform your perineoplasty, you will be best served by a gynecologist who specializes in cosmetic-plastic gynecologic surgery. Surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly, and, as a result, you should be sure that your doctor is a specialist in the field, someone who focuses primarily on this region of the body, and is acutely aware of the best techniques available to provide patients the results they deserve.
In general, it is always a good idea to review your potential doctor’s credentials and research their area of expertise, evaluate before and after photos, and read patient testimonials. This will help you to make the most informed decision possible.
Q: How many perineoplasty surgeries has Dr. Serrão performed?
Dr. Serrão was the first modern cosmetic-plastic gynecologic vaginal surgery specialist in Orlando, in 1999. Since then, he has performed hundreds of these procedures, establishing himself as a leader in the state and across the country, for offering women the opportunity to regain confidence in their bodies, once more.
Q: Why should I choose Dr. Serrão as my doctor over other doctors?
Dr. Serrão has decades of experience performing cosmetic gynecology surgeries, such as perineoplasty. Before beginning his practice, he studied with experts in the cosmetic-plastic gynecology field, including Professor Adam Ostrzenski, M.D., Ph.D., Dr. Hab., Dr. David Matlock, and Dr. Marco Pelosi. To this day, Dr. Serrão considers Professor Ostrzenski to be his mentor, as he continues to serve as a member of the Professor’s highly regarded educational team. This commitment to the field has not gone unnoticed, as Dr. Serrão is often asked to lecture other healthcare professionals from around the world on cosmetic-plastic gynecology.
In addition to his impressive educational background, another important reason many choose Dr. Serrão is because of the impressive, beautiful and natural-looking results he provides. Our before and after photos reveal Dr. Serrão’s deep knowledge of female anatomy, which is complimented by his skill as a board certified gynecologist. Due to the fact that Dr. Serrão is also a board certified gynecologist, you can rest assured that he is well equipped to discuss the sensitive and very personal details of these procedures with his patients in a way that is clear and empathetic.
Our state-of-the-art surgical facility is another benefit to working with Dr. Serrão and the entire team at Serrão Rejuvenation Center. The surgical suite is entirely devoted to cosmetic gynecology procedures, providing a private, comfortable, safe, and patient-focused experience, from start to finish.
Q: What are the surgical risks of perineoplasty?
It is important to know that surgical risks are very rare. In fact, less than 1% of patients experience complications as a result of their surgeries. However, these risks include: bleeding, infection, bowel injury, nerve injury and scarring. Something to keep in mind is that the risks of pregnancy and delivery far outweigh the risks associated with perineoplasty, when performed by an experienced gynecologist like Dr. Serrão. Rest assured, Dr. Serrão will discuss all the risks of your surgery during your consultation and at the time of the pre-operative visit, so you will be well informed.
Q: What types of anesthesia are available?
In most cases, we perform perineoplasty using local anesthesia and moderate sedation, provided by a licensed certified registered nurse anesthetist. This means that you will be in a gentle sleep, but will remain conscious and be able to breathe on your own, thereby reducing some of the risks associated with general anesthesia.
However, if you prefer general anesthesia, you can choose to have your procedure performed at the hospital, where Dr. Serrão is an active staff member. These options will be discussed with you in greater detail at the time of your initial consultation.
Q: What is recovery like after perineoplasty?
In most cases, once the anesthesia has worn off, our patients are up and walking the evening of the surgery day. It is important to place ice packs on the incisions for the first 48 hours after surgery, as this reduces the swelling and bruising. Patients should avoid putting pressure on the incision site and should not engage in heavy lifting.
Patients are allowed to resume regular activities 72 hours after surgery, and we recommend patients engage in non-taxing activities in the first week after surgery, as often as possible. Patients who are not taking narcotics are allowed to drive two days after surgery, and may return to work within five days, though we recommend taking seven to 10 days off for the best recovery. Walking exercise can be resumed after the two-week follow up appointment.
For the first six weeks after surgery, patients should wear loose clothing and cotton underwear. During this time, patients are also on pelvic rest, which requires abstinence from tampons, douching and sexual intercourse. Patients should also avoid bath tubs, hot tubs, swimming (pools, lakes, or ocean), exercise, cycling, dancing, skiing, horseback riding, jet skis and motorcycles during this time.
Complete information regarding post-operative care will be provided during your pre-operative appointment.
Q: Could I be a good candidate for perineoplasty?
There are many reasons you may feel the need for a perineoplasty. If you have given birth vaginally and feel looseness in the vaginal tissue, then a perineoplasty can help restore lost tightness. However, even women who have not given birth may notice a vaginal looseness or stretched vaginal muscles, as a result of excess weight or aging. If you have questions about whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure, the best option is to schedule a consultation.
Q: When can I return to work after perineoplasty?
Ultimately, the amount of time you take to return to work depends on the type of work you perform. Although most of our patients return to work within four to seven days after their procedure, you may prefer more time.
Q: How much pain should I expect after surgery?
Rest assured, the pain you feel after surgery is well controlled with appropriate pain medication. Once the nerve blocks and local anesthetics have worn off, oxycodone, ibuprofen, and ice packs help to alleviate your discomfort. Many of our patients wean themselves off of prescription medication four to six days after surgery.
Q: How soon may I have sex after surgery?
In order to achieve the best results, we recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse and masturbation for six weeks following your procedure.
Q: Will perineoplasty improve my sex life?
Yes, perinoeplasty can improve your sex life. The restoration of the perineal structure creates a better shelf for the penis, thereby creating an enhanced sexual experience for the woman and her partner. Your sex life may also be improved due to the heightened feeling of self confidence that could increase libido.
Q: How long will it take for me to achieve my final results?
Due to the nature of the surgery, you can expect to see the best results after four to six months. However, by your six-week follow-up appointment, your sutures will have dissolved, and you should be able to return to your normal routine.
Q: How long will results last after perineoplasty?
As long as you do not experience another vaginal delivery, you can expect the results of your perineoplasty to last for a lifetime. All areas of the body will experience some form of aging over time–even areas that have been treated with surgery. However, your aging should never return the perineum to the degree of laxity you experience before your surgery,
Q: Can perineoplasty be combined with other cosmetic surgical procedures?
Yes. Often, our patients choose to combine a perineoplasty with vaginoplasty and labiaplasty. Due to Dr. Serrão’s focus on female cosmetic surgery, our patients may also choose to undergo breast augmentation, liposuction, or tummy tucks. These combined surgeries may be completed at once, or scheduled as two separate surgical sessions. However, you can discuss the details and your options during your initial consultation.
Q: I am from out of town. How long before I can travel back home after my surgery?
Given Dr. Serrão’s reputation both nationally and internationally, we often have patients travel to Orlando from out of town. In these cases, it may be more convenient to have a long-distance initial consultation. Our out-of-town patients who choose to have surgery will arrive the day before the surgery and are required to remain in the Orlando area for three to five days after their procedure.
Rest assured, our concierge service is well prepared to help you arrange lodging, transportation, private-in-room nursing care, and restaurant delivery. Over-night stays can be accommodated by Comfort Suites and Florida Hospital, located just one block from our surgical center. Those who require assistance can be picked up by our private duty nurse, who is highly knowledgable in the post-operative care of our patients.
All of our patients have a follow-up-visit 24 hours after their procedure. The remaining follow up appointments can the be done long-distance by telephone and sending recovery photographs to our confidential photo e-mail site.
Q: May I personally speak with other patients who have had perineoplasty performed by Dr. Serrão?
Of course! Many of our past patients have offered to speak with those considering perinoplasty at Serrão Rejuvenation Center. Simply let us know and we will make the appropriate introductions.
The decision to undergo perineoplasty is certainly one that should not be taken lightly. That is why our team at Serrão Rejuvenation Center is here to answer your questions and help you make the best decision for your body. If you have further questions, and are located in Orlando or Winter Park, Florida, a consultation may be the best next step. Simply contact us today to start your rejuvenation with Dr. John Serrão, a board certified gynecologist who specializes in cosmetic gynecology and cosmetic surgery of the female body.